RaspberryLucozade Many years back, I got chatting to a man in a pub. We got chatting about things we liked and disliked. One of the things I told him was that I was a massive fan of Gregor Fisher. It was then that he recommended this film to me. His exact words were: ''It's ideal viewing for Gregor Fisher fans!''. With this, I duly gained a copy and tuned in. Sadly, as the end credits rolled, I came away feeling greatly disappointed.'1984' ( made the same year ironically as it's title ) is based on George Orwell's 1940's novel of the same name. John Hurt was leading man Winston Smith. I won't even bother to describe the plot as I am sure many are already familiar with the book.I really could not follow the film at all. Much of what was in the book clearly did not make it to the screen ( the film would have been too long otherwise ) but it seems much of what was left out was the more vital parts which would have the film semi-logical.Aside from boring me, much of the movie got my blood boiling. For instance, the scene in which a member of the Thought Police punches Julia in the stomach had me seething with anger!John Hurt is extremely robotic as Winston and Suzanna Hamilton failed to do much better as Julia. Richard Burton was in ill health at the time and died shortly after production so his performance seemed somewhat tired. Gregor Fisher did his best with the little he was given ( I know, I'm biased ) but his efforts were in vain. The worst offender in the cast was Cyril Cusack as the two-faced Mr. Charrington.I don't denounce those who like this film. If it is your bag, then more power to you. Personally, it is just not my cup of tea.

FireFan This scary and darkly displayed movie of forcing a lifestyle on the people made of propaganda and suppression works effectively well. Winston, the main character played by John Hurt, has an unfortunate plight. He is like a leftover attempt to change this tyranny of Big Brother who is demonstrated well in the movie as 'always watching you'. So many of the new dictionary "Newspeak" terms used in this rigid society which shape everyone's thinking, and which the fanatical O'Brien believes in, are inhibiting instead of liberating... Winston dares to hope for the something better which seems never to have existed. The props and atmosphere put into this movie and the loneliness are nicely created in the film. It is seriously, but entertainingly so, depressing to viewers given what every citizen in this society faces as cold, stark reality concocted from lies. The author George Orwell is like a 20th century "Jonathan Swift" in his novel and the movie which communicates through symbolic meaning a warning as to what might could possibly happen to our own world if it is left unguarded and unchecked!

jimbo-53-186511 Winston Smith (John Hurt) is a thought-criminal whose daily work involves rewriting history. Smith (along with several others) lives within a totalitarian regime where all thoughts and feelings are deemed to be a crime. However, Smith attempts to overthrow this 'Big Brother' regime when he falls in love with fellow citizen Julia (Suzanna Hamilton).When George Orwell first published this book back in the late 1940's he perhaps wasn't aware of how accurate his predictions of our future society would turn out to be. Whilst we're not under a totalitarian regime, we are all now part of a society where we are more or less able to be continually monitored whether through CCTV or via internet usage. Therefore I have to praise Orwell for being so visionary, but sadly this adaptation of his own novel fell way short of my expectations...Given the fact that this was supposed to be about a man rebelling against a cruel and unfeeling dictatorship I expected there to be examples of an inner rebellion dotted throughout the film. Aside from a rather chilling finale, this never really happens and it renders the film to be rather dull a lot of the time. We don't really learn much about the characters and Gregor Fisher's talents seem to be wasted in an underwritten role which never seems to have much bearing on the story. I also never bought into Julia and Winston's relationship; it did seem to come out of nowhere and had no real build-up meaning that I just found it all a bit ridiculous (the age gap between Hurt and Hamilton is also a noticeable issue and I couldn't help but feel like I was watching a pervy old man taking advantage of a much younger woman). All of this left me feeling rather indifferent to their relationship and to Smith's own personal struggles.I think the thing that bothered me the most about this film is the way it's presented in a really phony 'art-house' type manner. Director and screenwriter Michael Radford seems uninterested in exploring Smith's world - there is a hint of a 'have' and 'have nots' society between the Proliterians and the Bureaucrats which could have been interesting, but is never really explored. The whole film also reeks of pretentiousness - most of the film revolves around Julia and Winston's romance, but their conversations and the general dialogue is lifeless and there is so much nudity that at times it feels like you're watching a soft-core porn. I understand that this existed to highlight their rebellion against Big Brother, but how far do you have to go before it starts to become self-indulgent?Later films such as Equilibrium and V for Vendetta have explored similar concepts but both of those films were stylish and entertaining. Sadly this version of 1984 never really worked for me as I found it to be pretentious, self-indulgent and pretty boring as well. It is only wonderful turns from John Hurt and Richard Burton that prevent the film from getting a lower score.

PimpinAinttEasy Dear Michael Radford, you did a great job adapting Orwell's novel for the big screen.I loved the tracking shot of all those sinister looking people at the beginning of the movie. What a way to start the film. You had me hooked! The close ups of John Hurt's cold and dry face was used to great effect. It sort of underscored the lack of joy and humanity in him. The film was filled with such thin, wiry and robotic looking actors who gave the impression of slowly wasting away. The oppressive post-war imagery characterized by scenes of destruction and decaying grey buildings perfectly evoked the atmosphere in Orwell's novel. The sets were magnificent. I know it is an odd word to use for such a depressing film. But Winston's workplace and O'Brien's office deserve special mention. This must be Alan Cameron's best work. He later worked mostly in commercial big budget films. If anxiety was the natural state of 20th century man (from Mailer), John Hurt's jaded facial expressions and scraggy demeanor expressed all the anxiety of living in a totalitarian state. Winston Smith must be one of his best roles. Best Regards, Pimpin.(7/10)